Lecture 2Lecture 2

Vowel Features & Phonological Vowel Features & Phonological ProcessesProcesses

Vowels or ConsonantsVowels or Consonants

The main articulatory distinction The main articulatory distinction between consonants and vowels is:between consonants and vowels is:

- The air stream finds a radical The air stream finds a radical constriction or total blockage at constriction or total blockage at some point along the central passage some point along the central passage in the oral cavity (in consonants).in the oral cavity (in consonants).

- No such obstacle is present (in No such obstacle is present (in vowels).vowels).

Variety in VowelsVariety in Vowels

Vowels differ from each other only in Vowels differ from each other only in sound quality.sound quality.

Sound quality is a function of the size Sound quality is a function of the size of the instrument, the mouth.of the instrument, the mouth.

Yet, how can we vary the size of the Yet, how can we vary the size of the mouth to produce the different mouth to produce the different vowels present in natural languages?vowels present in natural languages?

Variety in VowelsVariety in Vowels

With the roof of the mouth and the With the roof of the mouth and the tongue, we can form a TUBE.tongue, we can form a TUBE.

By manipulating the amount of space By manipulating the amount of space between the tongue and the roof of between the tongue and the roof of the mouth, we can vary the size of the mouth, we can vary the size of the tube.the tube.

Each such tube size will produce a Each such tube size will produce a different sound quality, hence a different sound quality, hence a different vowel.different vowel.

Cardinal VowelsCardinal Vowels

Our awareness of this temporary tube and Our awareness of this temporary tube and its properties is very limited.its properties is very limited.

In the early 1900s, the English phonetician In the early 1900s, the English phonetician Daniel Jones developed a chart to Daniel Jones developed a chart to represent a set of represent a set of artificialartificial and and idealizedidealized vowels, in a way reminiscent of the vowels, in a way reminiscent of the cardinal points (N, E, W, S).cardinal points (N, E, W, S).

Cardinal vowels are only similar, not Cardinal vowels are only similar, not identical, to vowels in natural languages.identical, to vowels in natural languages.

Basic Cardinal VowelsBasic Cardinal Vowels

[[] roughly as in ] roughly as in beebee or or seasea

articulated with the body of the articulated with the body of the tongue as tongue as highhigh and and forwardforward as is as is compatible with a vowel soundcompatible with a vowel sound

[[] roughly as in ] roughly as in fatherfather or or spaspa

the tongue pulled the tongue pulled backback and and loweredlowered, , with the simultaneous lowering of the with the simultaneous lowering of the jawjaw

Two Axial ParametersTwo Axial Parameters

HighHigh

FrontFront BackBack

LowLow

Corner Primary Cardinal Corner Primary Cardinal VowelsVowels

CornerCornerPrimary Cardinal VowelsPrimary Cardinal Vowels

HighHigh BackBack

[[]] ++ --

[[]] -- --

[[]] -- ++

[[]] ++ ++

IntermediateIntermediatePrimary Cardinal VowelsPrimary Cardinal Vowels

Once we have [Once we have [] and [] and [] at the front, we ] at the front, we can pronounce a vowel which sounds one-can pronounce a vowel which sounds one-third closer to [third closer to [] than to [] than to [], and another ], and another vowel which sounds one-third closer to [vowel which sounds one-third closer to [] ] than to [than to []:]:

IntermediateIntermediatePrimary Cardinal VowelsPrimary Cardinal Vowels

The perceptual space between the back The perceptual space between the back vowels [vowels [] and [] and [] can be filled in at equal ] can be filled in at equal intervals with the vowels [intervals with the vowels [], one-third ], one-third close to [close to [], and [], and [], one-third close to [], one-third close to []:]:

Primary Cardinal VowelsPrimary Cardinal Vowels

11 8822 77

33 66 44 55

A third parameter:(6, 7, and 8 are round; all others are A third parameter:(6, 7, and 8 are round; all others are unround.)unround.)

The Basic Vowel TriangleThe Basic Vowel Triangle

The three basic vowels [The three basic vowels [], [], [], and [], and [] are as far ] are as far apart in the space as can be:apart in the space as can be:

- High/Low:High/Low: [[] and [] and [] high, [] high, [] low] low- Front/Back:Front/Back: [[] front, [] front, [] back, [] back, [] central ] central - Roundness:Roundness: [[] spread, [] spread, [] rounded, [] rounded, [] neutral] neutral

Quantum VowelsQuantum Vowels

Why the vowels [Why the vowels [], [], [], [], [] ?] ?- Each can be articulated over a reasonably Each can be articulated over a reasonably

broad space with minimal effect on broad space with minimal effect on perception:perception:

The essential sound quality of cardinal The essential sound quality of cardinal vowel vowel no. 1, for example, will still be no. 1, for example, will still be obtained with obtained with a more relaxed movement.a more relaxed movement.

Hence, they are labeled Quantum Vowels, Hence, they are labeled Quantum Vowels, suggesting a perceptual quantum leap suggesting a perceptual quantum leap between them.between them.

Secondary Cardinal VowelsSecondary Cardinal Vowels

Secondary Cardinal Vowels are those Secondary Cardinal Vowels are those produced by deliberately inverting produced by deliberately inverting the normal action of the lips.the normal action of the lips.

There are eight such vowels (nos. 9-There are eight such vowels (nos. 9-16), five of which are rounded.16), five of which are rounded.

SoSo

Vowels are fundamentally different from consonants.Vowels are fundamentally different from consonants. The fact that no constriction exists shifts quality variation The fact that no constriction exists shifts quality variation

onto the size and shape of the mouth cavity.onto the size and shape of the mouth cavity. The cardinal vowels divide the vowel space in the mouth The cardinal vowels divide the vowel space in the mouth

into equal parts.into equal parts. The basic reference points for cardinal vowels are tongue The basic reference points for cardinal vowels are tongue

height and backness.height and backness. The relationship of the cardinals to real-world vowels is, in The relationship of the cardinals to real-world vowels is, in

most cases, only approximate.most cases, only approximate. A minimal three-vowel system, consisting of the quantum A minimal three-vowel system, consisting of the quantum

vowels [vowels [], [], [], and [], and [], which represent the maximal ], which represent the maximal contrast, does tend to occur in some form or other in all contrast, does tend to occur in some form or other in all languages.languages.

Distinctive Features for Distinctive Features for VowelsVowels

Consonants or Vowels [Consonants or Vowels [±consonantal±consonantal]][+consonantal] = sounds involving a [+consonantal] = sounds involving a drastic drastic

constrictionconstriction in the in the central oral passagecentral oral passage..- drastic constriction: one that results in drastic constriction: one that results in

total blockage of the airflow (stops) or in total blockage of the airflow (stops) or in restricted air exit (fricatives)restricted air exit (fricatives)

- central oral passage: all vowels, possibly central oral passage: all vowels, possibly with some constriction on the sides of the with some constriction on the sides of the mouth, are [-consonantal].mouth, are [-consonantal].

Distinctive Features for Distinctive Features for VowelsVowels

Phonetic Phonetic Phonological Phonological ClassificationClassification

ParametersParametersFeaturesFeatures

- HeightHeight [[± x± x]]- Frontness/BacknessFrontness/Backness [[± y± y]]- RoundnessRoundness [[± z± z]]

[[±high±high]/[]/[±low±low]]

Height:Height:- Some vowels are high: [Some vowels are high: [] [] []]- Some vowels are low: [Some vowels are low: [] [] []]- Some vowels are neither: [Some vowels are neither: [] [] []]

[[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]][high][high] ++ -- -- -- ++[low][low] -- -- ++ -- -- [+high] and [+low], a mathematical [+high] and [+low], a mathematical

possibility, is ruled out because the body of possibility, is ruled out because the body of the tongue cannot be simultaneously raised the tongue cannot be simultaneously raised and lowered.and lowered.

[[±back±back]]

Frontness/BacknessFrontness/Backness- Some vowels are front: [Some vowels are front: [] [] []]- Some vowels are back: [Some vowels are back: [] [] []]

[[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]][high][high] ++ -- -- -- -- ++

[low][low] -- -- ++ ++ -- --

[back][back] -- -- -- ++ ++ ++ The central low vowel [The central low vowel [] is considered ] is considered

[+back].[+back].

[[±±round]round]

RoundnessRoundness- Primary and secondary cardinal vowels are differentiated on the Primary and secondary cardinal vowels are differentiated on the

basis of roundness.basis of roundness.PCVPCV [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]][high][high] ++ -- -- -- -- -- -- ++[low][low] -- -- -- ++ ++ -- -- --[back][back] -- -- -- -- ++ ++ ++ ++[round][round] -- -- -- -- -- ++ ++ ++

SCVSCV [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]] [[]][high][high] ++ -- -- -- -- -- -- ++[low][low] -- -- -- ++ ++ -- -- --[back][back] -- -- -- -- ++ ++ ++ ++[round][round] ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ -- -- -- The mid vowels are still not distinguished from one another. The mid vowels are still not distinguished from one another.

More Distinctive FeaturesMore Distinctive Features

Tongue Root:Tongue Root:- When the tongue root is either advanced or When the tongue root is either advanced or

retracted, the size of the pharyngeal cavity, and retracted, the size of the pharyngeal cavity, and certainly the tube, is modified. Consequently, the certainly the tube, is modified. Consequently, the vowel quality is altered.vowel quality is altered.

- This is captured by the distinctive feature [This is captured by the distinctive feature [±ATR±ATR] ] (Advanced Tongue Root).(Advanced Tongue Root).

[[]] [[]] [[]] [[]][ATR][ATR] ++ ++ -- -- Therefore, the sixteen cardinal vowels are defined Therefore, the sixteen cardinal vowels are defined

in terms of a set of only FIVE phonological in terms of a set of only FIVE phonological distinctive features.distinctive features.

Feature DependenciesFeature Dependencies

Rounding, captured by the feature [Rounding, captured by the feature [±±round], is round], is implemented by the lips.implemented by the lips.

The phonological feature [labial] captures the The phonological feature [labial] captures the involvement of the lips in articulation.involvement of the lips in articulation.

Thus, [+round] sounds are necessarily [labial].Thus, [+round] sounds are necessarily [labial]. This suggests that [This suggests that [±±round] is a dependant of round] is a dependant of

[labial].[labial].[labial][labial]

[[±±round]round]- [p], [f], and [b] are [labial] and [-round][p], [f], and [b] are [labial] and [-round]- [t] and [d] are non-labial, so [[t] and [d] are non-labial, so [±±round] is irrelevant.round] is irrelevant.

Feature DependenciesFeature Dependencies

The features [The features [±high±high], [], [±low±low], and [], and [±back±back] capture the movement of the body of ] capture the movement of the body of tongue.tongue.

The phonological feature [dorsal] expresses the body of tongue’s involvement in The phonological feature [dorsal] expresses the body of tongue’s involvement in articulation.articulation.

Thus, [+back] sounds, for example, are necessarily [dorsal].Thus, [+back] sounds, for example, are necessarily [dorsal]. This suggests that [This suggests that [±high±high], [], [±low±low], and [], and [±back±back] are dependants of [dorsal].] are dependants of [dorsal].

[dorsal][dorsal]

[[±high±high]]

[[±low±low]]

[[±back±back]]

If a segment is not [dorsal], the dependents of this feature are irrelevant to it.If a segment is not [dorsal], the dependents of this feature are irrelevant to it.

Vowel HarmonyVowel Harmony

There are languages where the class There are languages where the class of vowels occurring in a given of vowels occurring in a given domain is restricted.domain is restricted.

The phenomenon is known as The phenomenon is known as ‘harmony’.‘harmony’.

Vowels harmonize for some Vowels harmonize for some feature(s) in the domain in question.feature(s) in the domain in question.

Vowel Harmony in TurkishVowel Harmony in Turkish

Consider the following:Consider the following:Nom. sg.Nom. sg. GenGen. sg.. sg. Nom. Nom. plpl..GenGen. . plpl..

‘‘rope’rope’ ‘‘hand’hand’ ‘‘girl’girl’ ‘‘stalk’stalk’

ROOTROOT (+(+PluralPlural Suffix) Suffix) (+(+GenitiveGenitive Suffix)* Suffix)*Nom. sg.Nom. sg. [[] or [] or []] [[] or [] or []]

(*Parentheses indicate optionality, and the order of concatenation is as (*Parentheses indicate optionality, and the order of concatenation is as given.)given.)

Vowel Harmony in TurkishVowel Harmony in Turkish

Phonologically, there are cases of vowel Phonologically, there are cases of vowel alternation in the genitive and plural suffixes alternation in the genitive and plural suffixes ([([] or [] or [] and [] and [] or [] or []).]).

Decomposing the alternating segments:Decomposing the alternating segments:[[]] [[]] [[]] [[]]

[high][high] ++ ++ -- --[back][back] -- ++ -- ++ The alternating vowels disagree on backness.The alternating vowels disagree on backness. Why?Why?

Phonological AlternationPhonological Alternation

Considering the relationship between the vowels Considering the relationship between the vowels in the root and the suffixes reveals the following:in the root and the suffixes reveals the following:

- identicalidentical (( - - )) (( - - ))[+high][+high] [-high][-high][-back][-back] [+back][+back]

- differentdifferent (( - - )) (( - - ))(in (in heightheight) ) [-high] [+high][-high] [+high] [+high] [-high][+high] [-high]

[-back][-back] [+back][+back]

Turkish has [Turkish has [±back±back] harmony for vowels.] harmony for vowels.

FormalizationFormalization

The vowel in the Gen. suffix is consistently The vowel in the Gen. suffix is consistently [+high], but its value for [[+high], but its value for [±back±back] varies ] varies according to that of the root vowel:according to that of the root vowel:

[dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal]

[+high][+high] [+high][+high]

[-back][-back] [-back][-back]

UnderspecificationUnderspecification

The feature [The feature [±±back] is lexically unspecified back] is lexically unspecified in the in the genitivegenitive and and pluralplural suffixes. suffixes.

The lexical representations of these The lexical representations of these suffixes are left blank for this feature.suffixes are left blank for this feature.

[dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal]

[+high][+high] [+high][+high]

[-back][-back]

Surface RepresentationSurface Representation

In the context of an autosegmental approach, the In the context of an autosegmental approach, the surface representation borrows the specification surface representation borrows the specification for [for [±back±back] from the neighbouring vowel (an ] from the neighbouring vowel (an assimilation process):assimilation process):

[+high][+high] [+high][+high]

[dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal]

[-back][-back]

DisharmonyDisharmony

Consider the following:Consider the following: ‘‘hexagonal’ (pl.)hexagonal’ (pl.) ‘‘items’items’ ‘‘calendars’calendars’- The Turkish plural suffix has two alternants The Turkish plural suffix has two alternants

-- and - and -, as a result of vowel harmony., as a result of vowel harmony.- We expect vowel harmony to be triggered We expect vowel harmony to be triggered

from the root.from the root. So, why not *So, why not * ? ?

Harmony DomainsHarmony Domains

Each Each lexically prespecified vowellexically prespecified vowel (an (an Opaque Vowel) initiates a harmony domain:Opaque Vowel) initiates a harmony domain:

Vowels that are unspecified for [Vowels that are unspecified for [±back±back] ]

take the value for this feature from the take the value for this feature from the immediately preceding vowel.immediately preceding vowel.

Why not from the ROOT ?Why not from the ROOT ?

Crossing Association LinesCrossing Association Lines

Formalizing the unattested form *Formalizing the unattested form *::

[-high][-high] [+high][+high] [-high][-high] [-high][-high]

[dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal][dorsal][dorsal]

[+back][+back] [-back][-back]

Crossing Association LinesCrossing Association Lines

The [+back] of the first vowel has The [+back] of the first vowel has spread to the unspecified second vowel.spread to the unspecified second vowel.

Its spread to the third vowel has been Its spread to the third vowel has been blocked, as this vowel is lexically blocked, as this vowel is lexically prespecified for backness, [-back].prespecified for backness, [-back].

However, we cannot accept the However, we cannot accept the spreading to the last vowel.spreading to the last vowel.

It entails a crossing of association lines.It entails a crossing of association lines.

The No-Crossing ConstraintThe No-Crossing Constraint

The configuration above infringes a The configuration above infringes a general, inviolable principle of general, inviolable principle of autosegmental theory:autosegmental theory:No-crossing constraintNo-crossing constraintAssociation lines may not cross.Association lines may not cross.

The multidimensional nature of The multidimensional nature of autosegmental representations autosegmental representations reveals the illegitimacy of this type of reveals the illegitimacy of this type of representation.representation.

No CrossingNo Crossing

[-high][-high] [+high][+high] [-high][-high] [-high][-high]

[dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal] [dorsal][dorsal][dorsal][dorsal]

[+back][+back] [-back][-back]

English PluralsEnglish Plurals

One set of irregular English plurals involves One set of irregular English plurals involves a process of vowel fronting:a process of vowel fronting:goosegoose [[]] geesegeese [[]]toothtooth [[]] teethteeth [[]]

This process is opaque in contemporary This process is opaque in contemporary language.language.

In Old English, however, there was a plural In Old English, however, there was a plural suffix –[suffix –[]]

[[] is associated to a [-back] feature.] is associated to a [-back] feature.

Floating FeatureFloating Feature

The hypothesis is:The hypothesis is:- In modern language, the phenomenon can by analysed by means of In modern language, the phenomenon can by analysed by means of

floating [-back] plural marker.floating [-back] plural marker.

[+back][+back] [-back][-back]

[dorsal][dorsal]

[-cons][-cons]

[labial][labial]

[+round][+round]

- It is assumed that the front round vowel of the output is subject to an It is assumed that the front round vowel of the output is subject to an

unrounding procedure, [unrounding procedure, [] ] [ [].].

Summing upSumming up

The phonetic parameters (high, low, back, and round) are The phonetic parameters (high, low, back, and round) are interpreted into phonological features.interpreted into phonological features.

[ATR] is a fifth feature introduced to distinguish the second [ATR] is a fifth feature introduced to distinguish the second and third degrees of height encoded by the cardinals.and third degrees of height encoded by the cardinals.

Harmony is a phenomenon which leads all vowels in a given Harmony is a phenomenon which leads all vowels in a given domain to bear the same value for some feature(s).domain to bear the same value for some feature(s).

Some suffixes are lexically unspecified for a certain feature, Some suffixes are lexically unspecified for a certain feature, the eventual value of which is supplied by the adjacent the eventual value of which is supplied by the adjacent stem vowel through spreading.stem vowel through spreading.

The No-Crossing Constraint prohibits the crossing of The No-Crossing Constraint prohibits the crossing of association lines, and consequently blocks spreading.association lines, and consequently blocks spreading.

The residue of Old English lexically associated features The residue of Old English lexically associated features justifies a hypothesis of floating features.justifies a hypothesis of floating features.

Next WeekNext WeekChapters 7 and 8Chapters 7 and 8

Assignment:Assignment:

Key QuestionsKey Questions

(pages 202 and 229)(pages 202 and 229)